Rugby League
Premiership Rugby Round 2 Predictions: Quins Face Tough Test at Gloucester
Following a thrilling opening round of fixtures in the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM season, William Hill news are back with tips and predictions for round two.
The opening weekend saw us land three successful predictions across the five games, most notably Bristol Bears winning away at Sale Sharks at a nice price of 17/10.
Elsewhere, Northampton Saints overcame the -22 handicap to beat Newcastle Red Bulls 59-26 and Gloucester to beat Exeter with a +9-handicap stormed home as they defeated the hosts 24-45.
The two losing selections weren’t far off either, with the lack of a Tom De Glanville try meaning Bath beating Harlequins wasn’t enough, and our Leicester Tigers to win by 1-7 points just missing out as Saracens scored late on to win the match 38-40.
Let’s dive into this week’s predictions.
Bath v Exeter Chiefs – Friday 2nd October, 19:45
The opening fixture of round two pits two teams against each other who had very differing starts to the season. Bath put in a workmanlike performance to see off a below-par Harlequins side by a scoreline of 17-33 at the Stoop.
Exeter didn’t get off to such a good start, falling to a 24-45 defeat at home against Gloucester. Gloucester matched their total away wins from last season with that victory, which isn’t a good look for the Chiefs.
Expect Bath to kick on from last week and put Exeter to the sword.
Prediction: Bath -15 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints – Saturday 3rd October, 15:05
Saturday brings us the only match between two sides who got off to winning starts in the opening round, as Northampton Saints head down to Bristol to face the Bears.
Bristol beat a poor Sale side away from home, while the Saints were expected to put a good few points on the board against Newcastle and duly obliged. It’s hard to read too much into either of those results, so we’re siding with last season’s form and general squad strength here.
Prediction: Northampton Saints -4 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Gloucester v Harlequins – Saturday 3rd October, 17:30
Next up it’s Gloucester against Harlequins who were separated by just one point last season. Gloucester already have a win on the board this season though, while Quins lost at home on the opening weekend.
Quins were far from their best against Bath on Friday night and there’s no doubting the absence of Marcus Smith, George Furbank and Fin Baxter. They’ll be without their big guns again here and will be up against the wall against a Gloucester side who have started the season well, but this could be tighter than the 1/5 match odds about the home side suggest.
Prediction: Harlequins +10 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Newcastle Red Bulls v Leicester Tigers – Saturday 3rd October, 19:45
Saturday evening brings what looks to be the least competitive fixture of the weekend, as Leicester Tigers head to Newcastle in a game that should see the bounce back from last weekend’s agonising loss at home to Saracens.
Leicester haven’t always been great on the road, but Newcastle is by far the easiest place to go in the Premiership at the moment and their opening day loss to Northampton didn’t offer anything to suggest otherwise.
Prediction: Leicester Tigers -15 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Saracens v Sale Sharks – Sunday 4th October, 15:00
Sunday’s game looks another one-sided affair, as Saracens welcome Sale Sharks. Sarries fought hard to beat Leicester at Welford Road last weekend in a statement victory that puts them into the conversation as early title contenders.
Sale, on the other hand, were beaten favourites at home to Bristol Bears and their away form doesn’t offer much hope having won one and loss eight on the road last season. This isn’t an obvious opportunity for them to better that this season.
Prediction: Saracens -10 Handicap Betting – 10/11
